NE14Hockey East Men's LeagueDivision OneMAGPIES II maintained their promotion challenge and closed the gap on leaders Letchworth to four points with an 8-4 victory at Witham, whilst Letchworth could only draw at Wapping 3-3.

NE14Hockey East Men's League

Division One

MAGPIES II maintained their promotion challenge and closed the gap on leaders Letchworth to four points with an 8-4 victory at Witham, whilst Letchworth could only draw at Wapping 3-3.

Magpies started the game brightly with two superbly worked moves which Robbie Kinsella finished, at this point Magpies were controlling the game but were caught out by a quick break which resulted in Witham being awarded a penalty stroke, which they converted. Magpies regained their composer and by half time had added further goals from Dave Francis and Martin Fields to go into the break 4-1 ahead.

The second half started with Magpies adding two further goals from Dave and Martin and then a combination of complacency and frustration with the umpiring, lead to Witham pulling two goals back. Magpies could have been under pressure as Lawrence Baynes received a yellow card and there for time in the bin, but their quality shone through as they added a further goal through Dave Francis who completed his hat-trick, before Witham were also reduced to 10 men. Magpies added an 8th through Jamie Legg and Witham responded with a late goal.

Overall three points from Magpies but a far from satisfactory performance. Man of the match was Dave Francis for his three goals.